Not quite sure what to do with this story [first spotted on Reddit.com] about Zombie Hamlet. At first I thought, “Ok, big deal, somebody’s ripping off Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Undead,” which has been around for over 2 years and I think pretty much started the “zombie Shakespeare” thing.
But then I checked out the IMDB page for kicks. Jason Mewes, the stoner guy from all those Kevin Smith movies? Shelley Long from Cheers? John Amos, the dad from Good Times? June Lockhart, the Lost In Space mom? Does the Zombie part refer to the plot, or the cast? I thought a few of those people were dead!
Then I checked out the director’s page. From the man who brought you Santa With Muscles, ranked in IMDB’s 100 Worst Movies Of All Time comes….Zombie Hamlet. Yeah, that fits.
Category: Hamlet
Hamlet endures due to its complex characters, psychological depth, and exploration of universal themes such as death, revenge, and the human condition. Its enduring popularity is also attributed to its poetic language, memorable quotes, and its influence on literature, film, and popular culture. Hamlet’s themes and characters continue to be studied and adapted in various forms, making it one of Shakespeare’s most famous and frequently performed plays. Its timeless appeal lies in its ability to speak to audiences across generations, cultures, and languages, and its place as a cornerstone of Western literature.
Browse the text of Hamlet entire play here.
Hamlet + Pink Floyd =
A long, long time ago I discovered David Gilmour, of Pink Floyd, singing Sonnet 18. It was my first experience with Shakespeare-to-music, and it just happened to be one of my favorite bands. Well, the solo guy from that band, but still. At the time I used the expression, “Excuse me while my head explodes, in the good way.”
(Later, someone from Google quoted me on that one when Google Books announced their Shakespeare project.)
And there was the German rock opera Hamlet In Space, which was so good that I had songs from their sampler in my regular playlist (I’ve long since lost them, alas).
So I’m quite excited to see Hamlet : A Rock Experience, which puts Hamlet to the music of Pink Floyd’s The Wall:
A prince descends into madness, haunted by the ghost of his murdered father, hatred for the uncle who usurped him and resentment toward a mother he feels has betrayed him.
A troubled rock star, oppressed by an overprotective mother, abusive teachers and the superficiality of stardom, imprisons his inner rage behind a mental wall, each brick closing him off from the rest of the world.
I would kill to see that. Hamlet and The Wall could be the new Dark Side / Wizard of Oz.
The Trial of Hamlet
The Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles will determine at the end of this month whether Hamlet was mentally competent at the time he murdered Polonius.
I’ve never seen one of these up close, but they’ve been done before. I’d like to see a transcript, if nothing else:
Defense Attorney : Mr. Hamlet, should you have been in your mother’s bedchamber in the first place?
Hamlet : No.
DA : And why not?
Hamlet : The ghost told me not to.
DA : Defense rests.
Hamlet Is Shakespeare
In another thread, JM wrote “I’d have to “somewhat” disagree, Charlene, since I believe Hamlet to BE Shakespeare. But that’s another topic altogether. 🙂 “
Continue. 🙂
McKellen's Hamlet
Ok, how have I been on the net most of my life and never seen this? Sir Ian McKellen’s theatrical scrapbook is online, complete with photos, original touring dates, and words from Sir Ian himself. Just…..wow. 1972.
On the first night of Hamlet at the Nottingham Playhouse last week, Robert Chetwyn, the director, went into the lavatory and heard his production being dismissed as “damned teenage twaddle”. Ian McKellen, who is 30 and plays Hamlet, was pleased to be thought of as a teenager. After the third performance about 100 young people stood shouting and clapping their approval and this pleased Mr. McKellen even more. “It looks as if we have a controversial Hamlet, he said. “Now we will have to be ready for the national critics not liking it”.
